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Glite Dictionary
spurge nettle

spurge nettle

9.9
A tropical American plant with hairs that sting and cause a painful rash
  • noun
  • /spɜrdʒ ˈnɛtəl/
  • US
translation icon : ortiga espuria
  • The leaves of the spurge nettle can cause a painful rash if touched.

Examples

  • After brushing against a spurge nettle, she experienced a tingling sensation on her skin.

  • Farmers often warn children to stay away from spurge nettle growing near the fields.

  • The spurge nettle can be found in tropical regions.

  • Watch out for the spurge nettles when hiking!

  • After brushing against a spurge nettle, she felt a painful sting on her skin.

  • The leaves of the spurge nettle can irritate your skin if handled carelessly.

  • Children are warned to avoid touching spurge nettle in the garden due to its stinging hairs.

Synonyms

nettle
vsspurge nettle
9 5.5

A plant with hairs that sting and make your skin hurt when you touch it

applies to the tropical American herb type rather than only that genus
stinging nettle
vsspurge nettle
1 4.6

A plant with leaves that have tiny hairs which make your skin feel hot and sore when touched

is native to tropical America rather than Eurasia
Cnidoscolus urens
vsspurge nettle
  • Specialized
9.9

A plant from tropical America with tiny hairs that sting your skin

is the general name for the plant rather than a species name
tread-softly
vsspurge nettle
  • Specialized
9.9

A tropical plant with stinging hairs that make the skin hurt

is the same idea but presented as another common name
pica-pica
vsspurge nettle
  • US
9.9

A stinging plant from tropical America that makes your skin itch when touched

is used more generally rather than as a local name
Jatropha stimulosus
vsspurge nettle
  • Specialized
9.9

A tropical herb with stinging hairs that irritate the skin

is the broader common herb category rather than this single species
devil nettle
vsspurge nettle
  • US
9.9

A plant with tiny hairs that sting your skin

uses a less specific common name rather than a precise label
Jatropha urens
vsspurge nettle
  • Specialized
9.9

A tropical plant whose sap causes skin irritation when touched

relies on stinging hairs as the irritation source rather than sap

Surface Forms

spurge nettle singular
spurge nettles plural

Morphology

spurge + nettle

The noun-noun compound combines two plant terms whose meanings (toxic milky-sapped spurges and stinging nettles) directly indicate a plant with irritating/stinging properties. A B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer that 'spurge nettle' refers to a plant species with spurge-like sap and nettle-like stinging hairs, so the meaning is compositional and predictable.

Etymology

Spurge nettle is a compound name that joins two plant words: spurge, a soft leafy herb, and nettle, a plant that 'stings' when you touch it. So the name paints the picture of a spurge-like plant that can 'sting' or 'cause a rash' on your skin.